Each year, the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce creates a legacy through new programs and events.

Last year in kicking off our 40th anniversary in the MOT area, we focused on creating membership value with new benefits such as health care, notary services, marketing services, events and more!

This year for 2013, we are focusing on our community.

The Chamber recently held a clothing and food drive for Forget Me Not Families, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and the Basket Food Pantry.

The MACC will be awarding our Citizen of the Year Award on Jan. 18 at our 41st Annual Dinner to recognize a local community member who continually makes a difference for the M.O.T. area.

The Chamber Women's Network will be holding a Give Back day on June 6th to assist women who are in need of a business makeover with business coaching and providing business attire, resume assistance and make up consultations.

The MACC will again host several communitywide events including the Spring Expo on March 7, the State BBQ Championship at Frightland on May 17, 18 & 19, M.O.T. Night at the Blue Rocks on June 13 and RocktoberFest on Oct. 4 and 5, in addition to our regular business mixers and luncheons throughout the year.

A portion of the proceeds from many of the MACC events benefits local students in the form of scholarships.

In 2012, the MACC awarded $7,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.

The Chamber has recently formed the MACC Foundation, which is a 501 (c) 3 public charity committed to providing educational opportunities for our member companies and generating scholarship funds for local area students.

The enhanced new Chamber website, www.maccde.com is a one stop shop for all things MOT related. Find events, restaurants, local businesses, job postings, coupons from local businesses and more. It also has a mobile application for cell phones, too!

We look forward to 2013 and all of the opportunities that it offers for our community.